The effect of classroom environment on literacy development

Abstract

The physical characteristics of a child’s learning environment can affect health, wellbeing and educational progress. Here we investigate the effect of classroom setting on academic progress in 7–10-year-old students comparing reading development in “open-plan” (multiple class groups located within one physical space) and “enclosed-plan” (one class group per space) environments. All learning conditions (class group, teaching personnel, etc.) were held constant throughout, while physical environment was alternated term-by-term using a portable, sound-treated dividing wall. One hundred and ninety-six students underwent academic, cognitive and auditory assessment at baseline and 146 of these were available for repeat assessment at the completion of 3 school terms, allowing within-child changes across an academic year to be calculated. Reading fluency development (change in words read-per-minute) was greater for the enclosed-classroom phases (P < 0.001; 95%CI 3.7, 10.0) and the children who showed the greatest condition difference (i.e. slower rate of development in the open-plan) were those with the worst speech perception in noise and/or poorest attention skills. These findings highlight the important role classroom setting plays in the academic development of young students.

L’influence de l’aménagement physique scolaire et des espaces d’apprentissage sur les élèves et les enseignant.e.s du primaire : une recension systématique des écrits

“…De plus, les enseignant.e.s perçoivent l'utilisation de l'environnement de la classe comme un outil pédagogique permettant de développer les compétences du 21 e siècle, donc comme bénéfique aux élèves (Hensley-Pipkin, 2015). Une étude révèle que de tels environnements peuvent réduire le stress et l'anxiété des élèves et ainsi favoriser la réussite éducative (Rance et al, 2023). En résumé, ces espaces d'apprentissage se veulent des environnements où les élèves peuvent être actifs et collaborer avec leurs pairs, mais aussi des milieux au service de la pédagogie pour les enseignant.e.s.…”

The impact of climate change on education: An evidence synthesis focused on classroom experience in hot climates

“…Manu studies show a significant connection between climate change, school indoor environmental quality, and the classroom experience of students (⇡Ahmed, 2017;⇡Baker, 2012;⇡Barbic et al, 2022;⇡Brink et al, 2020;⇡Hoque & Weil, 2016;⇡Rance et al, 2023;⇡Sarbu & Pacurar, 2015;⇡Wang & Degol, 2016;⇡Xiong et al, 2018). As illustrated below, climate change lead to extreme weather events that negatively impact indoor comfort levels in schools which, in turn, negatively impact student learning (⇡Brink et al, 2020;⇡Kousky, 2016;⇡Toftum et al, 2021).…”